Wartime Kiss

Main Themes and Topics

"Wartime Kiss" by Alexander Nemerov delves into the haunting resonance of American photographs and films during the 1940s. The book is a profound exploration of how media from the World War II era can evoke strong emotional connections and embody both the presence of trauma and the allure of nostalgia. Nemerov examines various iconic and obscure images, including the widely recognized photograph of a sailor kissing a nurse on V-J Day. Through his insightful analysis, he unlocks unexpected associations between the American wartime experience and Hollywood's portrayal of it, delving into themes such as the intertwining of reality and fiction, and the emotional undertow of seemingly innocuous or forgotten images.

Writing Style and Tone

Nemerov's writing style in "Wartime Kiss" is both evocative and introspective. He has a knack for breathing life into static images, steering readers through a seamless narrative that straddles the visceral with the academic. His tone is reflective, often drawing personal interpretations that are beautifully layered with historical context. The book reads like a meditation, with Nemerov's prose resonating much like a work of literature, capturing the intimate yet broad implications of history made tangible.

Brief Summary (no spoilers)

"Wartime Kiss" takes readers on a journey through the post-war American landscape, filtered through the lens of its photographs and cinema. Alexander Nemerov starts with a fresh look at Alfred Eisenstaedt's famous V-J Day photograph and moves through a series of forgotten yet vibrant images and film narratives. He uncovers the stories behind these pieces, revealing an era's intrinsic ties between Hollywood's film industry and the wartime psyche. The book paints a vivid picture of how media from that time encapsulate and communicate the emotional undercurrents of the 1940s amidst the backdrop of World War II.